but being alone with that benevolent presence, and meeting his kind eyes, and feeling so happy and so honoured there, and my heart so full — I kissed his hand. I don't know what I said, or even that I spoke. He was disconcerted and walked to the window; I almost believed with an intention of jumping out, until he turned and I was reassured by seeing in his eyes what he had gone there to hide. He gently patted me on the head, and I sat down.

"There! There!" he said. "That's over. Pooh! Don't be foolish."

"It shall not happen again, sir," I returned, "but at first it is difficult — "

"Nonsense!" he said. "It's easy, easy. Why not? I hear of a good little orphan girl without a protector, and